The rodeo arena was put to good use in the lead-up to another big Mount Isa Rodeo, as young cowboys and cowgirls learnt the art of bull riding at Isa Rodeo School.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Two-time Australian former open bull riding champion, Darren ‘Brandy’ Brandenburg took the class at Buchanan Park on Thursday, August 10.
The school is designed for young people who may not have another opportunity to try the sport out safely.
A class with Brandy starts with theory lessons on safety, animal welfare, and technique.
“We teach them to fall safely, get on safely, get off safely.”
“We check all the gear and make sure there are no sharp objects, and we teach them you can’t be kicking the bulls, things like that.
“We respect our animals, we own the bulls so we respect them and we expect them (students) to respect them, too,” Brandy said.
Brandenburg is also the Isa Rodeo stock contractor, responsible for bringing 120 bulls to rodeo.
The rodeo school is an initiative of the Isa Rodeo’s organisers, the Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc (MIRRI) board in partnership with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA).
All students undergo proper safety procedures, and there is an ambulance on site at all times.
Isa Rodeo School had advertised an additional class in rodeo clowning with American rodeo legend Hollywood Harris, but this was cancelled due to low numbers.
